Sex Tourism in Kenya Not Just for Men Any Longer

I must say that I truly like your News headline links. I often catch stories, such as that of older white women who are sex tourists, that I might have missed.

With respect to that story, I think it's more of a question of power, combined with changing gender roles that's at play. These 'wealthy' women, at least in Kenyan terms, are doing what men with money have done all over the world for a long time. Now the women feel 'empowered' to do the same thing as men - but at least they are not yet going after underage boys. I don't condone their actions (nor the men's) b/c they are taking advantage of people's poverty. These foreigners' nirvana comes at a high price for the poor people they are abusing. Too bad they aren't smart enough to protect themselves from STDs.

Sent by KALW Country | 4:21 AM | 11-27-2007

Thanks for the comment, KALW Country. And if there are any stories you've found that I've missed, feel free to post them.

Sent by Geoffrey Bennett, "News & Views" | 12:17 PM | 11-27-2007

I was interviewed by the BBC on the possibility of sex travel by women to countries such as Kenya being a return to a colonial past and must say I think female sex tourism is often quite the opposite. Generally you have lonely women with some money and attractive men facing terrible unemployment, so the obvious mutual benefit is an exchange of cash, gifts, meals or lodging for affection. So I don't see this as a power game, or neocolonialism, more it is a straightforward example of the commodification of sex.

Sent by Jeannette Belliveau | 12:51 PM | 11-27-2007

KALW Country:

Some of the women do go after young boys. It's more prevalent in other locations, but I've known Ex-Pats that have seen this... mostly where that tsunami hit.

Sent by Thyratraniuque | 2:49 PM | 11-27-2007

I feel like I should be shocked by this, but I'm not, which can't be a good sign of the state of things.

It reminds me of an article I read earlier this year in Details Magazine about so-called "Mandingo Clubs" - older white couples seek sex with virile black men... more specifically, the wives have sex with the black male members of the club, while the husbands assume the role of voyeur. Quite a troubling piece, and it's actually a much more rampant practice than I ever thought. Here's the link to it:

http://men.style.com/details/blogs/details/2007/03/the_provocateur.html

Sent by Tambay A Obenson | 6:00 PM | 11-27-2007

I visited the Caribbean and notice that they have all inclusive resort for couples and single at charlisangels. The sex resort has golf court casino and more.

Sent by Eddie08 | 5:34 PM | 7-23-2008